RED LINE

05.02.14

Obama, Merkel: Russia Must Pull Back

Chip Somodevilla/Getty

In a joint appearance at the White House on Friday, President Barack Obama and German Chancellor Angela Merkel called on Russia to end its involvement in Ukraine and end violence by armed pro-Russian separatists. “As Ukrainian forces move to restore order in Eastern Ukraine, it is obvious to the world that these Russian-backed groups are not peaceful protesters,” Obama said. “They are heavily armed militants that are receiving support from Russia.” The president also threatened more sanctions on the Russian economy if Moscow does not change course.